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Human chorionic gonadotropin
Brand Names
Human chorionic gonadotropin, Hcg, Novarel, Ovidrel, PregnylWhat is Human chorionic gonadotropin
Human chorionic gonadotropin is a hormone that supports the normal development of an egg in a woman's ovary and stimulates the release of the egg during ovulation.
Side effects of Human chorionic gonadotropin
The most common side effects identified in patients taking HCG included:
- severe pelvic pain
- swelling of the hands or legs
- stomach pain and swelling
- shortness of breath
- weight gain
- diarrhea
- nausea or vomiting
- urinating less than normal
- headache
- feeling restless or irritable
- depression
Indication
HCG uses to prevent ovulation and to treat infertility in women and to increase sperm count in men. HCG is also used in young boys when their testicles have not dropped down into the scrotum normally that can be caused by a pituitary gland disorder.
Precautions
You should not take this medication if you have:
- early puberty
- a hormone-related cancer
- a thyroid or adrenal gland disorder
- an ovarian cyst
- premature puberty
- cancer or a tumor of the breast, ovary, uterus, prostate, hypothalamus or pituitary gland
- undiagnosed uterine bleeding
- heart disease
- kidney disease
- epilepsy
- migraines
- asthma
Dosage forms
Usual Adult Dose for Ovulation Induction:
- chorionic gonadotropin: 5000-10000 units IM one day following last day of menotropins.
- recombinant chorionic gonadotropin: 250 mcg subcutaneously one day following last dose of follicle-stimulating agent.
Usual Adult Dose for Hypogonadism (male):
- hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (secondary to a pituitary deficiency): 500-1000 units IM 3 times a week for 3 weeks followed by the same dose twice a week for 3 weeks.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Prepubertal Cryptorchidism:
- 4000 units IM 3 times a week for 3 weeks or
- 5000 units IM on every other day for 4 injections or
- 500 to 1000 units IM for 15 injections over a period of 6 weeks or
- 500 units 3 times a week for 4 to 6 weeks
